Breakthrough Seeds and Tithe Testimony by Ele Dukes

I received this written testimony via email 9.11.15 and was given permission to share it as a guest post on Ztv. Any edits I made are noted with [], the author used (). I pray it blesses you. 

Recently my husband and I had a few breakthroughs and victories. 

In the last couple years there were medical problems, hospitalization, two job layoffs and a near-death experience to name a few. Our home was in foreclosure, shut of notices were coming in, my husband’s truck transmission was down, my car needed some repairs, insurance bills were due, then we had to hire exterminators that cost over $2,000 and we had to buy new beds for the kids. Two incomes in the household were not enough to get on track after and catch up financially.  

So I got on my knees at third watch hour [12 to 3 a.m.] and I prayed and I read my bible. Next night I was exhausted so I went to bed, only to be fully awake at fourth watch [3 to 6 a.m.] involuntarily. Not the alarm, not the kids in the bathroom, nothing - complete quiet - and I woke up; so I listened. I heard a lot that night. 

I went to see a housing counselor and we went over my family’s budget. She said and I quote, “You have to cut back on your charity giving; you have to show the bank you made adjustments. That is the only thing that I see will hinder your loan modification.” I stared at her for a few seconds and noticed the diamond cross she was wearing around her neck. I smiled at her, I said, “YOU KNOW I can’t do that.” She said, “there are other ways you can give, it doesn’t have to be money it can be your time. I giggled. Then I told how much volunteer work I do already and how that work led me to a job I was not really qualified for. 

I knew THIS was a test. I knew I had to do something to break the enemy’s back that involved big faith. Well I aligned myself with a prayer warrior - Zari Banks - she went from living in her car to financial breakthrough and helping single moms financially among other things.  We prayed for seven days at 7pm. I fasted for 7 days. At the end of the third or fifith day I heard while praying, “It is finished.” In this time period Holy Spirit reminded me of sowing a breakthrough seed and tithing of firstfruits. Deuteronomy 26:1-10 and Leviticus 23: 9-16 will explain more about first fruits. In the New Testament, the first fruits offering are mentioned seven times.

1 Corinthians 15:20 also teaches us about Christ being of the first fruits. Significantly, if Jesus were killed at Passover, then His resurrection on the third day would have fallen on Nissan 16—the Feast of First fruits on God’s calendar. It would begin at the new moon of our March/April and coincides with the latter rains (Joel 2:23). 

I set aside the money I made for the first hour of work, on the first day I worked for the month (1 Corinthians 16:2). Then I tithed 10% from the money I made for the week after that.  Guess what?! blessings started flowing. I got a call to finalize the job I was not qualified for; for two days a week I make what is equivalent to most people’s full time paycheck and I’m still be able to be self-employed. And clients that fell off started coming back in. I asked Holy Spirit to pour living waters over the dead seeds I’d sown and refresh them bring them back to life. Then I sowed a financial breakthrough seed. It was big seed. I knew it would work, I felt it, I was happy to sow that check to help spread the Word of God.  2 Corinthians 9:6-7

I wrote in the memo “investment” because the seed was being planted to prepare the next generation for spiritual battle. And, the bank would not question an investment. While I was praying my prayer partner - Zari Banks – said, “I hear breakthrough and restoration.” I prayed, “In the name of Jesus BREAK THE BACK OF THE ENEMY THAT IS HOLDING and STEALING OUR BLESSING.” I rebuked the spirit of mammon operating in our lives. A week or so later my husband got baptized. Every time a prayer was answered or I received a blessing I sowed a seed gave praise and thanks to Jehovah-Jireh (THE LORD PROVIDES). Sometimes it was 7 cents, 77 cents, $7 and one time $77. Then the bills began to be paid before due dates. Nothing got shut off. Then our loan modification was approved, our interest rate got cut in half and the mortgage got cut in half.“

God has asked us to prove Him and see if He will not give us His blessings. I have trusted Him, tested Him and I have concluded that it is better to give God what belongs to Him. Read His words and do what it says. Because He brought us out of Egypt with His mighty hand, Hallelujah! Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my banner!

2 Reason we as children of GOD must tithe….

1.      We must Honor and obey our creator: (Leviticus 27:30) And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord”

2.      To Avoid a Curse and Condemnation: Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me… in tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8). “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me” (Malachi 3:9).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we confess our sins of words, thoughts and deeds. We confess our sins of disobedience, of not obeying your word. Lord, thank you for my family’s breakthrough. Lord, I know that many here can and will have financial breakthrough with obedience to your instructions and guidance. Lord. I loose the increased spirit of revelation, wisdom and knowledge of tithing and firstfruits offerings onto those that need to come into covenant with you, O Lord. Help us to be doers of your word and not only hearers. Lord, we uproot the spirit of mammon and nail it to the cross and apply the blood of Jesus on it.  We believe and stand firm on your promises of your provision. Holy Spirit, I ask that you pour living water and revive dead seeds that were sown by your children. Pour your blessings and favor over our tithes and offering multiply it 10-fold so we may do YOUR WORKS to spread the word. Lord, I ask that this prayer be sealed in our hearts. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.